GuyMelton.com: What Were You Thinking?

Deliberate Simplicity

(The Post below is a portion of my weekly Prayer Letter to our Prayer Partners and Inner Circle Prayer Partners at Oasis Church. )

Last week I began reading a book titled, "Deliberate Simplicity".  It had lain around my house for several months, and the title just didn't intrigue me enough for several reasons which aren't really important or germaine. Finally I began to read. As always, it's a journey for me to read a book. Actually I'm reading 5-8 all the time. So I've skipped around, and gone back to the beginning, but honestly, it has caught my attention.

Why do we make life so complicated? Why do we take the "Simple" and complicate it? Why do I know this, yet constantly I move in the more complicated, complex path? I feel like such a failure so often when I know what to do and how to do it, yet at my age, I still take the opposite path!! Does anyone else ever feel like that?

 

Jesus was such a great example to us about living a "Deliberate, yet Simple" life. Listen to how He summed up the whole goal we should have in Matthew 22:37-39 - " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[b] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'."

 

Two things!! Is that "Simple Enough"? He was speaking to the Spiritual elites, the Arrogant "Religionists" who were empty and void of Spiritual Relationship. They were all about making the simple things complicated, rigid and hard.  How many times does this creep into our lives?

 

Today as I challenge us to Prayer, I guess my only message is, let's not get so complicated that we can't "love the lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. And to love my neighbor as myself". I think Prayer is the one simple, uncomplicated way to begin to develop this type of living out Christ's two simple Commands. How to we learn  to love Him? It's to know Him. How do we know Him? Spend time with Him. How? Prayer!!!  How do I love my neighbor? Well, I don't know about you, but it takes prayer on my part and God's working in me on His part, for me to love lots of people I know. I really don't love, without His love being in me.

 

As we go about very complicated lives today, can we pause to ask God to help us to "Simplify Deliberately", in order to be more obedient to His two Commands?

Weekend Update/Kids World out of Space and Noon almost full!!

This past weekend was a special time for me. I got to share the platform with our youngest son Corey who shared his burden to help save those who are dying of dirty water. You can catch his testimony on our video podcast on weds at www.visitoasis.org on the message page. Its on our Sermon at the end.

 

along with a great weekend I also got several different notes today. Both show the constant Challenge we've had as a growing church for 18 years without enough space and land on our Pines Campus.  It has always been a challenge, but we decided years ago not the let the lack of space limit us and the Mission God has given us. So once again today, I received a plea from our Kids World Director Suzie McCord that our Kids Worlds classes are full at our 10:30 service on Sunday in Pines. So once again we are asking our folks to consider another morning service or one of our 7 Nights of Worship. I love these kinds of problems or should I say opportunities that we constantly have. Our Ministry of Kids World is turning children away each week at 10:30 because the classes are full. We cannot sacrifice safety by putting more children in the room than is allowed. So parents of nursery, preschool and elementary at 10:30 please consider coming at the 9:00 am service or noon service, or one of the nights. Noon service is almost full in the adult service as you'll see in the pic below I received tonight, but we still have room in the Kids World during this time. So noon for now is still a good time to come. And you aren't as rushed to get up and get the family here. You can take it a little more casually Sunday mornings.

 

Tonight I just received the pic below from one of our pastors. The noon service is beginning to look like our 1030 service. I remember a couple years ago when we started this service I wondered if anyone would attend at noon. I had hoped a 100 would . Well now the building is almost full each week. Thanks Oasis for being willing to always adjust to whatever it takes to make room for those who are not yet here. 
 

I also want to update you on my financial talk last week. You have responded incredibly. Last week our offerings were up at least $5,000 over the previous week. This week it looks like it will once again be up between $4-5,000 . Thanks to those who have stepped up and given to allow us to continue to do the ministry we are called to here. He is incredible how He just continues to bless even in these difficult times in South Florida. I also want to thank those who are giving over and above to the benevolence needs of those hurting.

 

Breaking News out of North Miami, New Baptism Pics from this Weekend!!

7 Baptized, more pics on nomipage of visitoasis.org

This Pic is after service in the courtyard . NOMI knows how to fellowship after the Worship!! Love the diversity of South Florida and Oasis Church!!

 

Have a great week.  

"The Unseen"/ Heavens Angels Part 1

This past Sunday we began a short 2 week mini Series called the "UnSeen"  This week the theme was Heavenly Angels, next week "Hells Angels".

As I promised in the services I spoke I would share some of the things we could not during our message. I will also share some of the referenced Passages of Scriputres we mentioned but could not read.

"Heaven’s Angels"

Hebrews 1:14; Hebrews 13:2

All

angels are ministering spirits, sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.--Hebrews 1:14

Hebrews 13:2--

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing many people have

entertained

angels without knowing it.

Do you think anyone has ever said of you, “I wonder if that was an Angel?" 

sermonnotes

Guy Melton, Pat Roberts, Waymon Byrd

Oct 24-30, 2009

Seraphim:

directed by Gabriel

Cherubim:

directed by Michael

To Serve the _____________________________.

I Corinthians 13:1 (pg 798); Matthew 18:10 (pg 683); Matthew 10:42 (pg 676)

To Protect the ____________________________.

 Fast Facts about Angels:

*They are spiritual creations, but not confined to the supernatural world. (Psalm 148:1-5;

Col. 1:15-17)

*They do not die (Luke 20:36) marry or reproduce (Matthew 22:30)

*They often appear as humans (Hebrews 13:2)

*Their own appearance cause fear (We should respect, but not fear angels)

*They are innumerable (Hebrews 12:22) but there are millions of angels. (Revelations

5:11)

*We do not become angels when we die

*They are highly organized and differ in power (Jesus said he could call ‘legions’ of

angels)

Elisha (

2 Kings.6) Great story of the Guardian Angels

•

We should mimic angels, not worship them (Psalm 103:20)

•

What do they do? SERVE and PROTECT

John 17:15  Jesus Prays for our Protection

Read the entire Chapter of John 17

One Question:  Is there anything in your life your actions that someone would say; "I wonderr if that was an Angel?"

Real Men Wear Pink,Who's Wearing PINK this Weekend?....................

This month as so many know is "Breast Cancer" Awareness month. Now Im not really involved in this cause even though many I know are. Ive known so many families who have been touched by this deadly disease and some who have been healed  that while not personally involved, I admire so many that do so much. The NFL has been  showing plenty of Pink on their games. From shoes, to wrist bands, helmet and jersey logos. Refs , fields and stadiums have been adorned. Now honestly it seems a little awkward to see all these Studs wearing Pink and promoting the Breast Cancer Awareness, but hey it is what it is and in the end I guess if it actually calls awareness to one person during a game, then its worth it. Especially if its your loved one.

But actually this Post was more to show you who is wearing this PINK Shirt this weekend at the Pines campus for the Weekend Services. Now before you guess , just come and see. And its not to jump on the Breast Cancer Awareness bandwagon, its for a Totally Different reason and not the Reason some of you might want to jump to the conclusion on. So come and find out WHY this SHIRT is being WORN by One of our TEACHING TEAM!! See you this Weekend.

Stinging Note left in my Mailbox today..............

This afternoon I found a sealed  envelope in my staff mailbox. Normally when I find one that looks like this with a hand written Note saying Pastor Guy on it , I know Im not going to like what Im about to read. Normally it means its a stinging criticism, or the I love you but, Im leaving this church because........   So you kind of see it coming!!!! Since I had brought a pretty tough message on Sunday to our church about the finances and future cuts etc I figured I would be getting some of these types of notes whether in the "Traditional " White envelope or email, face-book or connection card.

To my surprise this one did sting, but was  one of the nicest notes I have received in a long time. One of those sweet Stings. It brought tears to my eyes.. It was such a blessing. It was from one of our Members who had heard my "heart to heart " talk with our church this weekend about our budget short fall and the deep cuts about to happen soon . But I also challenged our church to not let the lack of funds, or even the high unemployment rate and local deep recession keep us from giving generously to those who are in need. I challenged those who could give extra to do so in order for us to be able to help those among us who need it most. This is not normal to actually ask for more, when there is less. But in Gods kingdom it is what He expects.

Back to the envelope and note. Well other than the sweet note, the person had attached a $1,000 check to the note, saying please use it for those who are hurting. We will be doing that in the next few weeks with all the offerings given over and above our tithes and offerings. Im so excited. This was a great seed to what I believe will be thousands given by our Oasis Family in the weeks ahead. Thanks to not only the sweet person from our Monday Night 7NOW service  who sent the note, and the check but to all those of you who are giving the $5. ,$10, or whatever amount to bless others in need.

Community Groups Picnic 09

This past Saturday  some of our Community groups sponsored a picnic at CB Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. By all accounts Ive heard it was a great time. Garfield Lowe the leader of my group has had this vision for several years. He and a group of leaders began the planning months ago and Saturday it all came together. Garfield told me "It was great to see everyone interacting and "owning" the picnic... treating it as theirs and not as a function staged for them. "

All our group have regular Outreach ministries and picnics and get together on their own but this was the first time I can remember when some of them joined together for just a time of Community and fellowship among the different groups. From men, to womens, singles, couples , mixed and on and on. From the 3 campuses which I think was neat to have them all together.  

Wish I could have been there, but speaking four times this weekend, meant I had to save my voice since I have the vocal chord problems. I never speak four times but this weekend was necessary. Hope I can be at the next one.

Great jobs guys!!!

More info and Pics at visitoasis.org

The Intangible "X" Factor.............

This weekend at Oasis , Pines Campus I brought the final Message in our "Reel Life" Series on the  Book of Luke and the Parables of Jesus. Since I had some Church family news to bring and an update on our Budget status I had to shorten the message and mentioned I would put some of the things on Pride and in the Message on my  blog.  So below Im just sharing some random thoughts on the theme of Humility and Pride from Luke 18:9-14, the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Once the full message is up on our website, you can access it to watch or listen to it HERE.  Also, make sure you catch the Video that was produced by our Tech Director Joel Collins . It will be on the Website also. There are 3 he has done for the series and you'll want to check them out HERE. 

• In the Bible, the original meaning of Pride has the meaning most often proud or puffed

up, to breathe, to blow up, or puff up, inflate.

It is seen as actually being our normal instinct or our nature as Humans to be full of

Pride.

In our World today, we would say that person is so Arrogant (like Florida Gator Fans) conceited

-- They are delusional/blinded by their own Pride

Ever know someone like this? To be swollen with pride (I Tim. 6:4) - 4he is conceited

and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels

about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions

Pride is very deceptive.

Pride is the desire for attention and praise from other living beings.

It means being at the center of the world and having everyone look to us, and

acknowledge us as superior.

It means raising a finger in the air and saying, "I’m number 1", "I’m the greatest."

Beyond a football team doing this. That’s in fun!!  For a pic of Pride and Humility in a Sports analogy, its like Gator Fans are the Pharisees , full of pride and arrogance! Miami Hurricane fans are a picture of the Tax Collector and show humility!!!

  God says repeatedly that He detests this pride.

"I abhor the pride of Jacob" (Amos 6:8).

It is a self-centeredness; I am the center of MY OWN little Universe!! We actually

displace God in favor of MYSELF

We don’t normally say this!!! We just act like it!! When Pride is in our Life it is not

always seen by us. We are blinded!!

God is to be acknowledged, not our own selves.

I Corinthians 8:1 states, "knowledge puffs up (makes us proud), but love builds up."

Pride goes before a fall, Proverbs tells us. 16:19-19

Pride brought down the most powerful Angel in Heaven!!

WE KNOW WHAT PRIDE DOES. IT KILLS RELATIONSHIPS,

IT ALIENATES, AND GOD HATES IT.

Ill share some thoughts on the Theme of the Message, Humility, in a day or two.

Do you have the "X" Factor?????????? Oasis Weekly Update for October18, 2009

For those who are not on our Local Oasis Email I am sharing this weeks update I sent to our local Oasis Family. I know we have hundreds of folks who we call our extended family who are friends of Oasis, members who have moved away or just friends of mine or family. This way I can keep you up on whats happening here in South Florida and hopefully as you think about us you will be praying for the ministries and peoples of Oasis here in South Florida and around the world. Sometimes you wont be able to open the links below or there is a word or two cut off a line because the format of my blog is different than our email update. Sorry if its an inconvenience. Guy

Dear Extended Oasis Family: So many times we talk about the "X" Factor in sports, business and even in human relationships!! It’s always that special something that person has. Well, this week as we conclude the "REEL Life"series in the book of Luke, we will find out the "X" factor that few people have but every one of us should! I bet you’ve never heard this before. If you want to try now and figure out the "X" factor before this weekend and next week’s 7NOW services (nightly @ 7 p.m.), you can read the passage in Luke 18:9-14.  Once again this week I have been amazed at all God is doing in and among Oasis Church. But especially I love what so many of our folks are doing outside the walls of Oasis Church. That is what Mission is all about. We Worship, we connect through Community, but the third value at Oasis is Mission, and normally that means you take the Gospel out of the building and into the world. Just a few things lately I noted by some of our ministries and individuals who have taken the Value of Mission very seriously.  I won’t mention some of the ones we’ve noted before but want to mention some I’ve just recently noticed. Surge/Youth Ministries is teaming up with His House Ministries of Opa Locka in ministering to orphaned and displaced children in South Florida. For more information on this great Christian ministry to the least of these, and updates on what our Youth are doing you will want to go to our Students Page on visitoasis.org. Women’s Ministry is sponsoring a Food Drive for Single Women in South Florida, along with Sheridan House Family Ministries.  KidsWorld is gearing up beginning in November to partner again with Samaritan’s Purse through "Operation Christmas Child". I hope all our families who have children will get involved. What a great way to teach our children how to give and minister to "the least of these". Marla Tallant of our Hollywood Campus, serves at the Daily Bread Food Bank,which has been in the news lately about their building burning down. This is a huge feeding group that churches and families get so much blessing from all year round. I heard that Ben Windle, our Hollywood Campus Pastor, and John Adams, the Worship leader at Hollywood both went over on Monday and helped Marla clean up the incredible mess after the big fire that destroyed not only the building but the 92,000 lbs of food that was in the building. You might want to learn more about the Food Bank and how to get involved by contacting Marla or Ben at the Hollywood Campus.  One of our Community Groups helped a grieving family recently with a very unselfish act. Check it out --  now that’s community at its best! Our North Miami Campus is doing a food drive also in order to stock their shelves with much needed items for those from the community coming in for help.   One of our long-time members, Angel Betancourt is also involved in a feeding ministry to the homeless that will be hosting a special Thanksgiving meal and service at our Hollywood Campus next month. Some of our people might want to get involved in this.    These are just a few of the exciting things happening among our folks who are "going" on Mission. It’s not all about coming to Oasis, but going to the World!! There are hundreds of exciting stories about what God has done in the lives and families here at Oasis Church. I never get tired of hearing of them and celebrating them. If you want to hear about two incredible stories, of two very special people - a single dad, and a miracle mom, then you can go here, and here at visitoasis.org now and see pics and stories of these incredible people. Over 80 adults attended our first Tuesday night 7NOW study on the Purpose Driven Life. You don’t want to miss this! It is a 7-week study and you can come this Tuesday night at 7 p.m. Hope to have you there.  Childcare is also available for those who are attending the service.   Don’t forget, Monday night we are still studying the Book of Acts. It’s not too late to attend this night of worship or any of the others --  7 Nights a week.  Now I can’t touch on everything, but this is just a little bit of what God is doing this week at Oasis.  If you have not worshiped in giving God His tithes and offerings this week, you can give online here right nowin a secure and very quick way.  Try it out and let me know how you liked going online to give. Have you ever done it before? Do you use envelopes regularly? I would like to have some feedback on how you prefer to give.  This weekend at our Pines Campus, I’ll be sharing live in all the services not only the teaching message, but a very important message and announcement to our Oasis Family.  You do not want to miss it. It might be one of the most important announcements I’ve made in a long time. The campus pastors at Hollywood and NoMi will also be sharing a little along the line of my announcement.  Guy Melton/January 10, 2010 Pastor Oasis Church http://www.guymelton.com http://www.visitoasis.org

Multi-Site Churches, Wins in 7 Nights of Worship...........Part 4

In this final Post of Multi-Site discussion I want to share some Wins we've had the last two years in doing Church "365" days a year.  While there have been many lessons learned and still being learned, there have also been some great wins. At this point this is the only Multi-Site model in the United States doing "7 Nights of Worship"  I believe using the Millions of Dollars of buildings and resources will finally be done by thousands of churches like ours in the next couple decades. Most churches fear the unknown and are more focused on large numbers and large services at this point. I see a new generation of leaders coming on the scene that will reach the large numbers but also realize the young generations are looking to do Church in small intimate venues. Its already happening in houses and urban areas. Why leave millions of dollars just sitting 6 nights a week? it doesn't make sense. Even using buildings for many other programs is just rearranging the deck chairs among those who are already on board. Why not use those same resources sitting idle to reach out to the community who does not care when they worship. Below are some things that we believe have been "Wins" in our first two years.

Wins of doing Worship 7 Nights a Week, 365 Days a Year!!!

 

1. You immediately bring new leaders and volunteers into your ministry from day one. We added about 100+ new volunteers who had not been serving anywhere. New leaders EMERGE!  
2. You build more Worship Teams -- leaders, bands and musicians who can be used throughout your other services and other campuses. (Farm teams)
3.  You’re making good use of multi-million dollar buildings and investments…most churches sit empty all week. Or they have meetings anyway for other things that don’t really open the door for the community and those who have special needs. This is much more cost effective than starting a new campus or building new buildings and buying new land. WHATEVER IT TAKES!
4. As with Multi-Campus staff, you need people who can be utility players and move from one ministry to another.
5. Great TEAM building and relations are built among the workers, and those who are committed to the night. High ownership by the volunteers.  Much more intimate, and not as rushed to get out.
6. KEEP IT SIMPLE, STUPID (KISS)!  The smaller venue and congregation allows you to keep it simple and intimate. You don’t need to have all the same elements as Sunday. You have the most important -- some things are just hard to reproduce each service, drama live, live specials, full children’s ministry.
7. You give people options in a very busy life. Lots of medical, and law enforcement work on weekends.  There is no excuse for not being able to worship. Our urban society is not 9-5 pm anymore. “Can’t make it Sunday morning? Come any night of the week!”
8. Different themes, personalities and needs can be addressed on different nights. (Book Studies, Discipleship, Christian Growth Track, Teen focus, and worship led, children’s discipleship night) Teaching can be Video from the weekend or live with one of the Teaching Team.
9. A true Oasis every day of the year for those needing to pray, worship, fellowship, have a listening ear and just have a Third place always there. (Some might actually come several nights a week when they are going through a difficult time).  Meeting people where they are.
10.  The main reason we began to discuss 7NOW was providing space to grow and a path to move folks out of the crowded Sunday services.  But now this is just one of the reasons it is working, and not necessarily the most important.

Multi-Site Church Conf............. 7 Nights of Worship Part 3

This week I have been sharing some of the ideas I shared at a conference in Jacksonville on Multi-Site churches. I was amazed that only one church raised their hand that they had a second campus site, out of probably 75 different churches represented. But when I asked how many were considering it, about 70% of the hands went up. After I spoke frankly and passionately about how you better be Called to do Mulit site or 7 Nights of Worship I imagine there were significantly less churches considering it.

I believe if by telling the truth about ministry and how hard it can be that if you can talk someone out of it, then they shouldn't be doing it. If they are called to do it, no matter what you say they will do it, because God called them to do it.  Below Ill share the Lessons we've learned from the first two years of doing Church/Worship 7 Nights a Week, 365 days a year. Once again,the list of 10 came from our Ministry Leaders . There were almost 100 given on 7 NOW, and I will give 10 Lessons Learned today. Ill share the 10 Wins we've had in a day or two.

Thanks again to our staff who have done such an incredible job of doing whatever it takes to continue to fulfill the Mission and Vision God has given us at Oasis Church. What a great team.!!

7 Nights Of  Worship  (7NOW)

 

Acts 2:42-47

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the

fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. ⁴⁶Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their

number daily those who were being saved.

 

Lessons Learned

 

 

 

1. Success has to be re-defined (mainly among the staff). We like it all BIG, people just want to experience Worship and God when they come.
2. There is a lot of Education about what 7NOW is…not only to your church family, but to the community.  “Worship Nightly at 7 p.m.” -- Simple and to the point in promotions.
3. The backbone of the 7NOW has to be Lay Leaders and servers and not staff and full-time Pastors. Leaders must support and have total buy in of the Vision and DNA of Oasis Church. (Children’s Ministry will need some paid workers, hard to keep enough lay workers in this area). No Pastor is out more than 2 nights a week.
4. Equipment gets a beating, and the budget needs to be adjusted to buy equipment on a regular basis…especially in the tech area.
5. Host Pastors are the key each night. They need to have charisma and strong leadership skills. (Or be able to develop them on a fast track.)
6. It takes months of planning, recruiting and training before launch.
7. DON’T DO IT IF YOU DON’T FEEL GOD IS CALLING YOU!
8. It takes at least a year to evaluate and then to begin to tweak and make needed changes -- (Themes, leaders, etc.)
9. Good, live Worship is important, but it doesn’t take a full band and worship team as it would on a Sunday morning with several hundred people in a large auditorium. Good quality of venue, music and childcare is still important.  
10. Before starting a new campus, experiment with another night or two. At least start a second service at some time before starting a new campus. There are lots of lessons to be learned from multiple services before you do an off-site campus.